AMERICA - Trayvon Martin Case, Racial Relations

"How Trayvon Martin Case Could Affect 'Stand Your Ground' Laws Across U.S." PBS Newshour 4/9/2012

Excerpt

GWEN IFILL (Newshour): There will be no grand jury to investigate the February shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. A jury had been expected to convene tomorrow to decide whether to bring charges against the shooter, George Zimmerman. But, for now, the investigation remains unresolved. The outcome could cast a spotlight on laws already on the books around the country.

The dispute over the killing of Trayvon Martin has sparked a national debate about race, justice, and when it is reasonable to act in self-defense. In declining to impanel a grand jury to look into the case, state attorney Angela Corey will now tackle those issues herself.

"The decision should not be considered a factor in the final determination of the case," the prosecutor said in a written statement. "At this time, the investigation continues and there will be no further comment from this office."

Martin, who was black, was on his way to a convenience store in a mostly white gated community when George Zimmerman, who is white, shot and killed him after a disputed altercation. Martin, who was carrying only candy and a soft drink, was discovered by police lying face down in the grass. Zimmerman was briefly taken into custody, but has not been arrested.

Law enforcement officials have cited a state law that ties their hands when a citizen says he is acting in self-defense. More than two dozen states have similar laws dubbed "Stand Your Ground," which allows deadly force in certain circumstances. Florida's law passed by bipartisan majorities in 2005, but some lawmakers have said it was never intended to prevent investigations.

COMMENTS:

• The State Attorney General does have the right to the decision not to take the case to a Gran Jury.

But IMHO is was a big mistake for her and the state because it does bring into question that the case CAN be handled in an objective or unprejudiced (non-racial) way. A Gran Jury would allow more people to decide, therefore heighten the objectivity on this case.


• Nationally, this has highlighted, or brought to the front, the issue of race-relations in America. The perceptions of Americans on justice and race.

This is good. We ALL need to review our own behavior when it comes to how we interact with ANY 'other' race. "Other race" = a race you do not identify with. How does a "white person" interact with blacks/Hispanic/Asian/Jews, or a "Hispanic" interact with blacks/whites/Asian/Jews, etc.


• The bottom line, being different (in any context) is NOT necessarily evil or dangerous. We need to stop being afraid of difference.